Goodyear Announces Price Increase
(Akron/Tire Review) Goodyear has announced a price increase of up to 6% on all consumer, commercial and OTR brands, effective 1 January 2006. Rising raw material, energy and transportation costs were cited as reasons for the increase.
Continue ReadingMichelin to Leave Formula One After 2006
Michelin is to end its Formula One involvement after the 2006 season, the French manufacturer has reported. Explaining its decision, Michelin said it would not supply a single supplier Formula 1 series and was not happy with F1’s new direction, but did not rule out rejoining the series, if the rules were modified. For many motorsport observers this is a somewhat understated way of describing the rift that has emerged between the manufacturer and the sport’s governing bodies. The manufacturer also complained of “constant changes to racing regulations without warning.” Following a disastrous US Grand Prix, and public disagreements with the FIA chief, Max Mosely, Michelin have obvious decided to leave the Formula 1 circus to the only other act on the scene - Bridgestone.
Continue ReadingGPX International
GPX International Tire Corporation has announced that Donna Lynn DiSpirito has joined the company as the new director of quality. As an ASQ certified quality manager, certified six sigma black belt, senior examiner for the MA quality award, and a lead auditor for both ISO 9001 and TS 16949, Ms DiSpirito has extensive experience in integrating quality practices with production demands within a broad range of industries.
Continue ReadingDoes Form Still Follow Function, or Tyre Testers?
During the course of Continental’s annual pre-Christmas event, which has now taken place for more than 10 years, the German manufacturer asked international tyre specialists from several reputed magazines to ponder the following question: “Do driver assist systems require new winter tyre testing procedures?” To summarise the stimulated discussions that took place in Ivalo, Finland, it seems development engineers at Hanover are obliged to try and serve the two masters at the same time.
Continue ReadingIncreased Safety in Cold Weather
Next year will see Continental launch ContiCrossContact Winter, a new 4x4 SUV winter tyre with asymmetrical tread design. Development of this tyre has been focused on safe driving properties on typical winter roads, superb handling in the dry, and a high resistance to aquaplaning. Starting in the autumn of 2006, the ContiCrossContact Winter tyre will gradually replace the company’s well-proven Conti4x4WinterContact.
Continue ReadingCampbell-Ewald Gets Bigger Michelin Slice
(Akron/Tire Review) Michelin North America (MNA) said it has consolidated its online communications with its other advertising and marketing communications, awarding all of that business to Campbell-Ewald. The agency has had MNA’s passenger tyre advertising account since 2001.
Continue ReadingWicked Wheels Adds Sprinter Fleet
An Essex-based alloy wheels repair business is a polished act when it comes to keeping up appearances and it has just returned to Mercedes-Benz for a new fleet of vans. Wicked Wheels UK, of Toppesfield Road, Great Yeldham, Halstead, started life as a one-man operation with a Mercedes Sprinter van five years ago. As the company has expanded, so its fleet has grown. Today, Wicked Wheels operates more than 40 vehicles across 24 UK locations and has a turnover of nearly £3 million.
Continue ReadingUnion Sets Vote on Titan Contract Offer
(Akron/Tire Review) The Freeport (Illinois) Journal-Standard reported that United Steelworkers (USW) workers at Goodyear Tire & Rubber Co.’s Freeport agricultural tyre plant will vote 21 December on a new labour agreement that could pave the way for Titan International to acquire the plant.
Continue ReadingMaxxis Helps Keep Costs Down
With operating costs – particularly fuel prices – constantly rising, operators of vans and light trucks have seen margins sharply diminished. Remaining competitive with no reduction in customer service levels is a constant challenge, whether a small fleet or one or two vehicles, and one in which tyres can play an important part.
Continue ReadingConti, Union Face Off Over Plant
(Akron/Tire Review) Tensions in Charlotte, North Carolina, are rising as the head of Continental Tire North America (CTNA) saying the company may close its HQ plant and the United Steelworkers (USW) claiming the tyremaker hasn’t provided information to allow it to “develop a plan to salvage manufacturing at the Charlotte plant.”
Continue ReadingGroup Tyre Corporate Identity Highlights Service
Group Tyre (UK) has introduced a new corporate brochure, backed by a supporting campaign, which majors on the fact that Group can deliver tyres on a daily basis, up to three times a day, anywhere in the UK.
Continue ReadingKing of the Country
Finnish tyre manufacturer Nokian recently released the country king agricultural trailer tyre. With the launch of the new product, Nokian is aiming, like other manufacturers, to satisfy the demands farmers and contractors that need tyres that can cope with increased load capacity.
Continue ReadingNETE Installs Telematics to Streamline Vehicle Management
North Eastern Tyre and Exhaust Ltd (NETE) has equipped its fleet of 50 delivery vehicles with Aerotrack vehicle management equipment. The system, manufactured by Aeromark of Bedford, uses wireless telematics technology to track the location of every vehicle on the fleet and to monitor other important management information.
Continue ReadingNew Ford F-150s Riding on Pirelli
(Akron/Tire Review) Pirelli Scorpion LT/SUV tires have earned an OE position on the 2006 Ford F-150. The new F-150 Harley-Davidson model will have 22-inch wheels with Pirelli Scorpion Zero Asimmetrico tires in size P275/45R22. And the F-150 FX4, Lariat, and King Ranch models will have an available 20-inch wheel with Pirelli Scorpion ATR tyres in size P275/55R20. Pirelli Tire North America said this was the first OE fitment for the Scorpion ATR.
Continue ReadingATL Upgrade Pack Now Available from Tecalemit
Tecalemit Garage Equipment Co Ltd have introduced an Upgrade Pack for their Roller Brake Tester, consisting of a weighbridge, computer cabinet and software update. This enables garages with an existing Tecalemit DE 9415 or DE 9715 Roller Brake Tester to convert to an ATL system simply at a relatively low cost. Garages can make significant savings by utilising their existing brake tester. Anyone who has bought a DE 9415 or DE 9715 over the past 5 years can upgrade their brake tester in this way.
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